please help me with my VIN dilemma
I bought my z31 about 9 months ago. The dash has been changed and the VIN on the dash does not match the VIN on the firewall or door stop which is the actual VIN for the car. When registering government vehicles in Indiana, they must check the VIN. I told them the dash wouldn’t match the title but the firewall plate and door jam did match, they said that wasn’t good enough and I would have to let the police run both VINs and fill out the form. I went to the police station, they confirmed that both VINs were fine, but that the wrong VIN on the dashboard would cause problems if it was ever checked for any reason. They signed the form (regardless of what they said it needed to be fixed) and I was able to register the car, with the wrong VIN still on the plate. That’s how I drove the car until a month or two ago, when I started changing the LS. I’m still worried about what could happen if I ever get pulled over for any reason and they check the VIN on the plate and see a mismatch.
The original dashboard is long gone, so getting the original VIN and changing it to a new one is not an option. I do however have the title of the car (which was a parts car for the previous owner and is also long gone) that matches the VIN on the plate currently in the car. So at this point I can only think of 2 options what to do.
1 – Make a VIN tag somehow that matches the door jam plate, firewall plate and the title it’s registered under. Getting a VIN plate on a dash that looks right can be a bit tricky.
2 – Register the car with the title I have from the car parts the dash came from. This would mean that the VIN would ever check to match the vehicle’s registered name, but it would not match the door/firewall jam plates, which could raise red flags if it were ever checked (not sure why it would).
I think there is a way to apply for a new VIN, but it seems like a horrible process that could be a real headache getting one for a vehicle that previously had a VIN, more so for custom vehicles and boats. No matter which way I go, I’ll probably at least get another title (that matches the VIN on the plate) in my name so that, worst case scenario, both VINs are back in my name. But at the end of the day, I’d like to do it all in such a way that I never have to worry about any VIN mismatch for any reason.
TL;DR – bought a car that had the plate changed by the previous owner. The VIN on the plate does not match the actual VIN located on the door stop/firewall. There is no way to remove the old VIN plate from the original plate because it is gone. Have titles for both VINs, currently registered under the vehicle’s actual VIN. Not sure the best solution.
Fill your plate with so much crap I can’t read the VIN! I’ve seen a few like this. Disgusting.
Both of your two options sound like a form of counterfeiting.
I would remove the incorrect VIN plate from the plate. There is no law that says it has to be displayed there. It’s just a convenience.
Then, if you are stopped, the police will simply have to check the door frame or firewall.
SVreX said:
I would remove the incorrect VIN plate from the plate. There is no law that says it has to be displayed there. It’s just a convenience.
Then, if you are stopped, the police will simply have to check the door frame or firewall.
sometimes it’s the simplest things that get overlooked lol that sounds like a good option and I’d be more than willing to show any LEO a door jam or firewall plate to satisfy a VIN check if/when needed.
As far as I understand, and I’m not a lawyer, the official VIN is stamped on the metal frame of the vehicle. It seems to me that the dashboard is not the metal frame of the vehicle. I think that tag might go away. Read your state’s laws (available online) and move on.
SVreX said:
Both of your two options sound like a form of counterfeiting.
Also, this is a purely hypothetical scenario that I would never do and wouldn’t advise anyone to do.
*professional driver on a closed course*
*this is known to cause cancer in the state of California*
*do not take with alcohol*
bases covered
I agree with removing the VIN plate on the dash or I would just cover up the VIN on the dash.
A garage scrap or business card could easily get stuck low on the VIN plate. In that case, they would check again elsewhere on the car. If I remember correctly, firewall stamping takes precedence over any other stickers or tiles.
dr. Hess said:
As far as I understand, and I’m not a lawyer, the official VIN is stamped on the metal frame of the vehicle. It seems to me that the dashboard is not the metal frame of the vehicle. I think that tag might go away. Read your state’s laws (available online) and move on.
I tried to tell that to the lady at the BMV. I was told that “it’s too easy to change that VIN and they just shut down from the dash #”. yes…. since the instrument panel is a permanent part of the vehicle……..
In fact, it wouldn’t shock me if there was an obscure law somewhere that said what you have right now is illegal.
Something about 2 VINs, or changing the original VIN to another, or installing a dash with the incorrect VIN or something.
The two best options are to do a “period” correct reproduction table, to increase the car’s value. Or see if you can issue a new VIN plate and title. I’ve seen a few from the state of Maryland, not sure how many hoops of flame the owner had to go through but I’m sure it took a few weeks.
In SC, just owning that car could get you some time at the Greybar Inn.
I was wondering something similar with my Nissan truck. I wanted to replace a very cracked dash, but the VIN is affixed to the dash, not the metal underneath. I could remove it and replace it with a new pad but I don’t think the rivets will work and that is also a no no. It shows an unauthorized VIN plate.
I think the easiest way is to remove the dashboard.
But I have a car that was built from two, it was cut in the front, the VIN on it says something like Ohio State reissue. So I bet it’s possible to get a plate. However, is it just a hyphen? It seems a little silly to win again just because of a dash.
I’ve never done this:
on the back of the name plate, it should be possible to cut off the back of the rivets, leaving you with factory rivet heads that can be used with a dab of glue to attach your “period correct reproduction name plate” to your “restoration plate” to do not show proof that your “dash is not original”
What exactly is a “factory rivet head?” Is that like one of David’s band names or something? I bet McMaster wears whatever it is.
My advice (a bit of knowledge from some side of this)
Do you have ANY documentation of the past repairs you have done to get the title? copy, laminate, keep in the car and do nothing else. If something comes up, then you can deal with possibly having the car towed for a short time (perhaps temporarily impounded) if the officer is in a bad mood.
Jump through the burning hoops and do a reissue in line with your state statues and just get your back pain out BEFORE anything goes in (see previous)
Those are the only possibilities I would readily offer. Almost anything else can be construed as breaking the law and can have consequences if the wrong cop happens to be on a bad day. falsifying a VIN IIRC is a violation of title 18 (federal)… (note on the other hand, if it’s older than 197x (can’t remember the exact year), it’s technically not a VIN in the current legal sense, so I’m not sure, but some laws may apply differently)
*I have stayed at the Holiday Inn Express, but it is FAR from my bread and butter. Any advice given is worth less than the price you paid and I disclaim any liability that may arise from such advice.
John Welsh said:
I agree with removing the VIN plate on the dash or I would just cover up the VIN on the dash.
A garage scrap or business card could easily get stuck low on the VIN plate. In that case, they would check again elsewhere on the car. If I remember correctly, firewall stamping takes precedence over any other stickers or tiles.
I had an argument with AAA North Penn about that. They seemed to think the VIN on the firewall was easier to change than the one on the A-pillar for the RX-3…
I’d just have one reproduced and attached to the board since the state probably offers that as a service. They are technically in multiple places to ensure a match if there is any question.
In response to Dr. Hess:
It appears that there is a certain type of rivets made to hold VIN tags that are controlled – meaning they are illegal to have unless you are a car manufacturer or a contractor for a car manufacturer. They look like this:
And of course, you can order them on eBay.
The correct VIN is the one for the firewall and sill.
The mistake was when the new board was installed. An incorrect VIN was put on the car by mistake. Removing it is just correcting the previous problem.
If there was no VIN dash when the police checked it, they would have checked other locations. Many cars do not have a VIN on the plate
When I changed the plates in the 240sx I just drilled out the old rivets and replaced the VIN tag. The factory rivets just looked like normal blind rivets and that’s what I was putting them back in. If I were you, I’d measure it and have one engraved at a local trophy shop or jewelry store. If you want an embossed one, you may have to look a little harder. The only real problem is that it will be difficult to change them while the panel is still in because of the angle of the windshield. If someone comments that it doesn’t look original, tell them to look at the ones on the firewall and door frame. What can I say as long as the numbers match?
The plate VIN fell off my RX-7. Fortunately, there is a nice tag on the firewall. And a data plate on the firewall. And a sticker for the door.
Your plate VIN just needs to be removed. Technically, this should have been done before the replacement dashboard was installed, so all you’re doing is correcting an inappropriate repair.
There is another option. Get a third car and transfer everything you want into it. Legally enter the title and register with everything that fits and be done with the other two problems.
